DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main Boosts Stock Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 7.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 377,257 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 27,120 shares during the quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main owned 0.17% of Masco worth $27,378,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAS. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Masco by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 17,901 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,299,000 after acquiring an additional 808 shares during the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP increased its stake in Masco by 371.2% in the 4th quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 26,027 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,889,000 after purchasing an additional 20,503 shares during the period. Bridgefront Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth $466,000. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Masco by 12.4% during the fourth quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 43,407 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,150,000 after acquiring an additional 4,776 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,548,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MAS shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Masco from $82.00 to $65.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 target price (down previously from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $62.00 price objective on Masco and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Masco currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $73.10.

Insider Transactions at Masco

In other news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS traded up $7.17 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $69.27. The stock had a trading volume of 5,885,518 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,776,756. Masco Co. has a 12 month low of $56.55 and a 12 month high of $86.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $14.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.42, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a fifty day moving average of $65.40 and a 200 day moving average of $73.27.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.92 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.84 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. Masco's quarterly revenue was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Masco's dividend payout ratio is presently 33.88%.

Masco Company Profile

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products.